Mechanisms of action of infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease: an anti-inflammatory multitasker

The pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays a central role in mucosal inflammation and is a key mediator in the inflammatory cascade in both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against TNF-α has been proved highly effective in the clinical management of both forms of IBD. Aim of this paper is to review the mechanisms of action of infliximab in IBD.